Omaha daily bee., 1887-08-29
The MARYLAND Revolt.

The revolt of portion OF the demo-
cratic party of Maryland against the un.
scrupulous machine rule of Senator
German has attracted general and de-
served attention. 1t is recognized as
political event of very great significance,
not only with respect to its local effect,
but In the influence it may exert upon
the course of national politics. The dem
ocrats engaged in the revolt do not dis
claim their adhesion to democracy. They
are still democrats, holding the same
political faith they have always held.
But they have seen their party In Mary
land become steadily moro dishonest
and degraded under the blightlng lead.
ership of German, and they now propose
making their protest against q continu-
ance of this condition effective by sup
porting the republican ticket in the
election of this year. The numerical
strength of the revolted element cannot
now be determined. but that it may
prove to be very considerable is shown
in the statement Of it's leader that there
are 600 reform democrats in one ward of
Baltimore who will give their votes to
the republican candidates. These demo-
Gratis are among the most intelligent and
substantial members of the party, exert
ing necessarily u large influence. 1t is
not to be thought wholly improbable that
with this assistance the machine may be
overthrown, result which would un-
questionably be great gain to Mary
land and most important victory for
honest politics.
The national aspect of the matter is
derived from the attitude of the admin
istration regarding it. Thus far the
president has shown no dis
position to quarrel with she
democratic faction against which the re-
form element has revolted. Having done
all that was asked of him to strengthen
the power Of German, by appointing to
federal offices men notoriously the Great
ures of the senator. whose careers were
shown to have been. of the most repre-
hensble character, MIR. Cleveland has
neglected to rectify the mistakes for which
he might have pleaded the excuse of hav.
ing been imposed upon. He has not only
turned deaf ear to all the earnest and
responsible representations made to him
respecting these men clearly establishing
by irrefrasible evidence their unworthI-
ness to occupy positions of public trust,
but permits them to remain in Office after
they have in the most public
and defiant manner violated the
executive order relating to the
political activity of Office holders. There
can be but one reasonable inference from
this, and that is that the president re-
CARDS the friendship of German as so I'M
portant and necessary to his own politi-
cal welfare that he does not dare offend
him, even though in yielding he stultifies
all his professions and subjects himself to
the just charge of insincerity. Even SC
consistent a supporter and apologist OF
the president IS the New York Evening
Post is compelled to say: 1T is an
anomaly, as inexplicable as it is discred-
table. that the cause Of honest govern.
ment in MARYLAND IN this contest not only
receives no help from the president. who
was elected as the representative of non
est government in the nation, but encoun
ters practically his opposition, through his
support of the democratic faction whict
represents ring rule, corruption and
| IT1uu. 4HCIc 10 uO oACuoC AOI NAV Sl6tC
lands course in regard to Maryland.
His selection Of such ,uen as Higgins anC
Rosin for federal Offices was without jus.
titication OF any sort. II Higgins and
Rosin are to be sustained, it must be con
sidered either confession of insinceritN
on Mr.. Cleveland's part, or confession
of weakness in the presence Of maj
| with stronger will. 1t would he hart
to decide which explanation is the NOR
discreditable. Quite as polntedly tn
New York Times insists that is the dut,
of the president to 'cut the cables b,
which the German pirates have bound
themselves to him." This it is that givel
the Maryland revolt national import
ance and directs the attention of tn,
country toward the administration. The
probability is that the influence of Cor
man will still be found equal to the tasl
of overcoming with the president all op
position.